Context - The Web is the Platform

A people-centered experience powered by the Web (technology and principles!) that includes mobile devices doesn't exist and is sorely needed. Mozilla must lead the way, because we are the only organization who has no interest in or motivation to “own” the user; we believe the user is sovereign. A people-centered system will enable users to identify themselves to websites and apps on their own terms; to take their apps easily from one OS to another; to disclose only what they want about themselves in proportion to the value they receive.

A people-centered experience must be built on Web technology and principles. Only Web technology can enable developers to build applications that can reach users wherever they are, through the ubiquity of HTML5 and JavaScript. Only Web principles enable a level playing field without gatekeepers.

Delivering on the vision

To deliver on the promise of the Web as the platform, a core set of products and services need to work in concert to deliver a compelling end-to-end experience:

An identity system that is under the complete control of the individual and enables information sharing on the user’s own terms with no take-it-or-leave-it policies

An open app ecosystem that gives developers freedom to build what they want and distribute it directly to users on their own terms. The Web needs standard, consistent ways to find, rate, review, purchase and prove ownership of apps

Developer tools and education to empower developers to learn, build and distribute these apps

A leading Web browser for desktop and mobile devices, as the browser will continue to be a central point of experience for billions of people

Boot to Gecko, A truly Web-based OS for mobile phones and tablets would enable the ultimate in user choice and developer opportunity, both from a technology and an ecosystem point of view.

The Kilimanjaro Milestone

This document covers the Kilimanjaro milestone which is "version 1.0" of the ecosystem we've described above. Kilimanjaro is an integration milestone across several of our products. Products will continue using their existing release vehicles, but we reach Kilimanjaro after these products are interoperable according to the requirements below. Our proposed target date for this event is September 2012.

We expect there to be subsequent periodic milestones after Kilimanjaro that will continue to serve as integration points. Those milestones may or may not be named after mountains.

While Kilimanjaro as a whole is a P1 for the organization, we also expect there to be ongoing work on other milestones, products and deliverables that are not explicitly covered here. For example, Labs/Innovation experiments, work on Windows Metro 8 etc. are explicitly out of scope for this document. Our recommendation is to treat them on a case by case basis, once Kilimanjaro is spec'd, resourced and underway.

Existing Firefox Users

Jim upgrades to a new version of (desktop) Firefox and gets introduced to the concept of HTML5 apps and the Mozilla Marketplace. He explores the Marketplace and installs an app, creating a Persona account in the process. Jim learns he can also get this app on his phone from the Marketplace. He installs the Marketplace on his phone and now has access to his app.

Android Power User

Alfred is on his Android phone reading TechCrunch where he learns about a special New York Times app promotion in the Mozilla Marketplace. He follows a link from the article to the Mozilla Marketplace site. He clicks install on the NYT app, and through Google Play, he downloads and signs in to the Marketplace and gets his NYT app.

Web Developers

Claire has a great idea for a mobile app. She visits MDN where she finds docs and tools that help her go from idea to basic app in 5 minutes. After building her app, she lists it in the Mozilla Marketplace for $0.99. The Marketplace lets her manage her application, reviews, and customer relationships.

B2G Phone Early Adopters

Sofia just purchased a B2G mobile phone from her local carrier store. The store helps her set up her phone which includes setting up a Persona account and importing contacts from her old phone. Her new phone has all of the basic apps she considers requirements for a smartphone as well as a Marketplace app where she can find many more. She's pleasantly surprised that her previously purchased apps from the Mozilla Marketplace are available on her new phone.

Sofia has been using her phone for 3 months and experiences problems like:

Her contacts disappeared.

Her phone crashes a lot.

Sofia needs help but doesn't know who to contact.

Sofia visits the Mozilla Help Center which provides her with step by step instructions for resolving all of her problems.

Specific Requirements and Priorities

All your devices recognize you and enable access to your ID-attached services